A lot of the enjoyment for me is in the whole process of research, planning, booking and finally in the shoot. (shute?)
I knew I wanted to go back to Scotland but was not sure when I could. Danielle's wedding on October 13th gave me the date to leave after. Leaving the next day, a Sunday? Yuck. As it was I slept until 10:30 that morning! So, because I wanted the cheaper morning flight, I picked the 9AM flight on Monday. Intensive Internet research, booking on line, phone calls, and I had it set up.
I still had my packing list from the previous trip, so wasn't worried about what to bring. Staying in a flat with washer-dryer makes things so easy. Also, I decided that khaki trousers and a cashmere sweater would suffice for any dressy occasion.
The wedding was great fun! I wore my silk dress (sleeveless white with black flowers, long) and my feathered hat. I looked marvelous - and I brought the rhinestone shoes. So Fab!
Next day the DeLs came over and we all were pretty tired, except Chet, who was his charming self. Cute as a button! After they left, I took a nap - evidentally not too stressed about packing. In order to motivate myself, I threw everything on the bed, so I had to finish before getting any sleep. Bing bang, done with room to spare.
I packed 4 books to read in the leftover area of my carry-on bag. I hate to haul heavy stuff and over the years have spent many GBP sending accumulated things home so I wouldn't have to lug them. Now I travel with 1 carry-on bag with wheels and a knapsack - the laptop is in a neoprene pouch in the bag.
Bed late, but after all, I was going on a plane trip - not much to do there but sit/lie down/sleep all day.
6:45AM the taxi arrived. No traffic and I was there by 7:20. Whisked to the lounge and ate a nice breakfast, made some phone calls to people's voicemails to say goodbye, then on the plane.
I started sneezing when I got on and used about 10 tissues before the flight was over. Turned down the offer of 'entertainment module', slept, woke for a truly awful Kosher breakfast (my fault, should have stuck to the regular menu) and slept. And drank lots of water, used the lav. and slept. Arrived in Stansted about 9:15pm and was in the hotel by 9:40. Ordered room service - smoked salmon salad and a beer, then a bath and sleep. My alarm went off before the wake up call, so I was awake. Shower, fresh clothes, tissues stored in pocket and down to breakfast. I only remember the coffee, oh, and yogurt and a banana and a roll and butter. Then back to room, storing more tissues strategically in knapsack, check out and a 2 minute walk to the airport. I'd done the boarding pass at home, so had time to wander after going through SECURITY. Last year it was a nightmare as every electronic device I had set off the sniffer and I had to wait 25 minutes for the supervisor to 'pass' on my stuff, and I was patted down, too. (and not by some cute guy, either).
Looking for something to dry my nose! The mini-drugstore advised some multi-flu cold product which did zilch. Glad I had the tissues. EasyJet was about 40 minutes late, but it didn't bother me. Flight was fine, landed in a blue and sunny Glasgow and hopped on the local bus which let me off about a block from the flat.
I was looking forward to Flat 12, but am in Flat 5. No big deal except that in the middle flat the bedroom is on the front and there is no cross ventilation. I may move when Christine (the Apartment Manager returns from her holiday). The flat wasn't ready so I went grocery shopping, stocking up on the necessities of life - coffee, yogurt, cheese, crackers, breakfast rolls and real butter.
I have been here since Tuesday afternoon, but feel like I never left in May. Odd, or not.
No more for now. Stay tuned!
Oh yes, my nose stopped running when I got here. Hmmmm. Very strange.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Blink and you miss it.
On the Good side. Family is fine. Grandson is fine. His parents also.
Deleted the other stuff I wrote.
Life goes on. Oobla de.
Deleted the other stuff I wrote.
Life goes on. Oobla de.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Relatives. Relatively speaking.
Relatives. Relatively speaking.
I am an orphan. No mom & pop, sibs. Yes, I do have cousins by the dozens, BUT: if you never see them. Have only seen most of them less than 30 times in my life, does that count as family?
Set 1: Used to live in Huntington, LI, NY. Saw them every couple of years until they moved to the West. Then, never. 3 girls, 1 boy. Wouldn't know them if I fell over them.
Set 2: 4 girls, two I have seen as adults and would recognize and am fond of. The others, totally unknown.
Set 3: Their father, my mom's half-brother, I saw during WW2 when he could get home, then post-War, after he was married and before my grandparents died, maybe 2-3 times. After they (2 girls, 2 boys) moved to NH, and my folks moved to NH, I saw them a couple of times a year. Jeannie (the eldest) lived with us one summer while she took advanced courses in PT in NYC). After my parents died, nada. In fact, the only thing I can remember about my uncle during that time was that he asked if I would return the sap yolk that Mom had. It belonged to his dad. And the mahoghany tray, inlaid with mother of pearl with a picture of the Taj Mahal that he had brought back from India from the War. After that, I don't think he was in touch. I got a Christmas card from my cousin Sue (in Feb or March) telling me that he had died in August 2006. Uh huh.
Her other sibs? Heaven knows.
Set 4: Various - Tommy? If alive, in FL. Hooper? Still in Marblehead MA, I think. Skip (Warren) in Chevy Chase, but I haven't heard from him in a few years. He and his wife had 2 sons, but one committed suicide in 1997 - a golden boy who was most likely bi-polar.
So that's it. Family but no family.
I called Roger today to wish him happy Fathers Day. Had a very nice talk with him and Carolyn. We are Matt's family, along with Nancy, his sister, Matt's aunt. Matt may remember the Clarks but he has only seen Jenny Hartley once or twice and I don't think he has met the others at all.
On a completely different note: I am now the Senior Warden of St. Mark's Church. Elected last Wednesday when I was feeling really sick with diverticulitis - but Dr. Kaplan thinks it wasn't, but on Cipro none the less.
This is a learning process. I was thinking of designing a shirt with the graphic of a pair of cut off blue jeans with wings - Flying by the Seat of Your Pants. But wearing my adult persona I think that asking questions and taking guidance, I may be able to help St. Marks.
Last Sunday I took lots of pictures of the arborist in the tree (about 5 stories up) and the parishioners reaction to that and also snaps of the church people. Today I posted them on the church bulletin board. I will be interested to hear the reaction.
After church I had breakfast and COFFEE, lounged, then went to the craft store to buy artificial flowers for the fire place. Otherwise it just stares at me - a black hole.
Yesterday I went into Manhattan to buy more nylon storage cubes for my laundry. Instead of a hamper, I have a cube in the closet, but realize I could pre-sort my laundry if I had one for dark and mixed as well as white. Now I do. Wash time will be easier, as long as I have quarters.
Tomorrow a 6:30 meeting. Tuesday 8:00 AM:11:30AM. Wednesday, Doctor at 2:15, church at 5:00 and hopefully music at Novo at 7.
Things to do: Laundry, Space Bagged storage to basement, Bose set up, Mauricio call, notes to Judy and Susie, Rummage/Flea Market sorting down in basement.
Hmm, almost midnight - pumpkin or bed. Tough decision.
Set 1: Used to live in Huntington, LI, NY. Saw them every couple of years until they moved to the West. Then, never. 3 girls, 1 boy. Wouldn't know them if I fell over them.
Set 2: 4 girls, two I have seen as adults and would recognize and am fond of. The others, totally unknown.
Set 3: Their father, my mom's half-brother, I saw during WW2 when he could get home, then post-War, after he was married and before my grandparents died, maybe 2-3 times. After they (2 girls, 2 boys) moved to NH, and my folks moved to NH, I saw them a couple of times a year. Jeannie (the eldest) lived with us one summer while she took advanced courses in PT in NYC). After my parents died, nada. In fact, the only thing I can remember about my uncle during that time was that he asked if I would return the sap yolk that Mom had. It belonged to his dad. And the mahoghany tray, inlaid with mother of pearl with a picture of the Taj Mahal that he had brought back from India from the War. After that, I don't think he was in touch. I got a Christmas card from my cousin Sue (in Feb or March) telling me that he had died in August 2006. Uh huh.
Her other sibs? Heaven knows.
Set 4: Various - Tommy? If alive, in FL. Hooper? Still in Marblehead MA, I think. Skip (Warren) in Chevy Chase, but I haven't heard from him in a few years. He and his wife had 2 sons, but one committed suicide in 1997 - a golden boy who was most likely bi-polar.
So that's it. Family but no family.
I called Roger today to wish him happy Fathers Day. Had a very nice talk with him and Carolyn. We are Matt's family, along with Nancy, his sister, Matt's aunt. Matt may remember the Clarks but he has only seen Jenny Hartley once or twice and I don't think he has met the others at all.
On a completely different note: I am now the Senior Warden of St. Mark's Church. Elected last Wednesday when I was feeling really sick with diverticulitis - but Dr. Kaplan thinks it wasn't, but on Cipro none the less.
This is a learning process. I was thinking of designing a shirt with the graphic of a pair of cut off blue jeans with wings - Flying by the Seat of Your Pants. But wearing my adult persona I think that asking questions and taking guidance, I may be able to help St. Marks.
Last Sunday I took lots of pictures of the arborist in the tree (about 5 stories up) and the parishioners reaction to that and also snaps of the church people. Today I posted them on the church bulletin board. I will be interested to hear the reaction.
After church I had breakfast and COFFEE, lounged, then went to the craft store to buy artificial flowers for the fire place. Otherwise it just stares at me - a black hole.
Yesterday I went into Manhattan to buy more nylon storage cubes for my laundry. Instead of a hamper, I have a cube in the closet, but realize I could pre-sort my laundry if I had one for dark and mixed as well as white. Now I do. Wash time will be easier, as long as I have quarters.
Tomorrow a 6:30 meeting. Tuesday 8:00 AM:11:30AM. Wednesday, Doctor at 2:15, church at 5:00 and hopefully music at Novo at 7.
Things to do: Laundry, Space Bagged storage to basement, Bose set up, Mauricio call, notes to Judy and Susie, Rummage/Flea Market sorting down in basement.
Hmm, almost midnight - pumpkin or bed. Tough decision.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Family Outing
Today was Dani's wedding shower up in Tarrytown NY. I wore a really nice dress that I had purchased last summer - can't remember where. The DeL's drove me up along with Dinora. I knew almost everyone but didn't mingle much. Food great and too rich, but I could have chosen something else, so my fault.
Came home, found none of my emails from yesterday answered.
Could have cleaned up, done laundry, put things away. Didn't.
Lots of churchish things tomorrow.
Came home, found none of my emails from yesterday answered.
Could have cleaned up, done laundry, put things away. Didn't.
Lots of churchish things tomorrow.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Friday and backwards
The allergies turned me into Bomzie! Wednesday is a blur, I think. I do remember being very grouchy - in fact Father B. asked if I had forgotten to take my anti-grouch pills. This changed to I did take a grouchy pill. After the service I decided not to go to Novo but to play in the garden. David M. was there so we sat on a bench and talked for a long time. Probably much better than going to Novo. Then home, reading, sleep. Oh yes, now I remember - I sat in bed and read 5 days worth of NYT. Oh, and went to Bed Bath Beyond and returned something before church.
Yesterday I wanted to get up early, do laundry, go to drugstore, etc. etc. but sat in bed and finished the book I was reading night before. Then I got up, washed in cold water (brrr!), dressed and went in to have lunch with Velma. I checked my email before leaving and found Dorothy wanted to garden in the pm. I went to 'Shop the Block' - the museums on 53rd have 20% sales one day a year if you are a member of one. I go each time and hardly ever buy anything. This time I found some nice layered glass picture frames, so bought 3 small and 3 medium before meeting Velma. Great lunch and visit (as usual). Then headed home, quick like a bunny, to meet up with Dorothy. I waited and waited. (probably not THAT long) then she called. I had actually dashed past her while she was having a haircut and she ran out to call my name, but I was chugging along too fast.
We went over about 4 and left about 7+. I dug and weeded and heaved and hoed (not hoed, but raking, it's an expression). And watered. Dorothy planted about 100 basil plants and 50 marigolds. We stopped to chat with Angela, Maria, Melissa, Lenny, Lisa, Nikki, Rebecca & Endeshaw - and Jean, the nice lady who sits in the garden. Next time no gardening on the FarmSpot night.
Hobbled home, showered at length (hot water back), found nothing on TV to watch. Cursed the piles of clothes, went to bed and read and slept.
Here we are at Friday. Up early enough to close the windows because the trees and bushes were being sprayed for insects. Puttered around, made coffee, cursed the piles of clothes, checked email, showered, dressed, took more dry-cleaning to a different dry cleaner, went to Home Depot, bought good hose nozzles, new fencing (we ran out on Thursday), checked out the garden path materials and headed back to St. Marks. Despite no water, I decided it was a good thing to put in the 90' of fence and test the nozzles. Hot? Oh yeah! Dehydrated? You bet. Job accomplished I headed home, stripped and showered at length, after drinking a few glasses of water. Splitting headache from the sun, etc. No Gatorade so I thought OH, I CAN have a V-8! And did. And electrolytes back in place, I felt better. Good enough to realize I hadn't had lunch and needed to go to the drugstore.
Down the street, met one neighbor. Went to drugstore $98 for meds. Off to Jahn's the neighborhood traditional eatery, had yummy food and coffee. On the way home met 2 more neighbors. Got home and actually put some clothes away. Some.
Thank goodness Martha couldn't come today. I am so embarassed at the state of the house! I feel like the before in a Makeover show. And you will note I am writing this and not working on the clothes........
Sent a ton of emails, spoke to a number of people, cancelled out an order for a new cell phone - too confusing. Watched Washington Week in Review and here I am.
Tomorrow is Dani's shower. Sunday is Church - Coffee hour (me in charge) - Money Counting (didn't the Lord have something to say about that....?) and then the DeL's. They'll probably have to scrape me up off the floor.
Later.
Yesterday I wanted to get up early, do laundry, go to drugstore, etc. etc. but sat in bed and finished the book I was reading night before. Then I got up, washed in cold water (brrr!), dressed and went in to have lunch with Velma. I checked my email before leaving and found Dorothy wanted to garden in the pm. I went to 'Shop the Block' - the museums on 53rd have 20% sales one day a year if you are a member of one. I go each time and hardly ever buy anything. This time I found some nice layered glass picture frames, so bought 3 small and 3 medium before meeting Velma. Great lunch and visit (as usual). Then headed home, quick like a bunny, to meet up with Dorothy. I waited and waited. (probably not THAT long) then she called. I had actually dashed past her while she was having a haircut and she ran out to call my name, but I was chugging along too fast.
We went over about 4 and left about 7+. I dug and weeded and heaved and hoed (not hoed, but raking, it's an expression). And watered. Dorothy planted about 100 basil plants and 50 marigolds. We stopped to chat with Angela, Maria, Melissa, Lenny, Lisa, Nikki, Rebecca & Endeshaw - and Jean, the nice lady who sits in the garden. Next time no gardening on the FarmSpot night.
Hobbled home, showered at length (hot water back), found nothing on TV to watch. Cursed the piles of clothes, went to bed and read and slept.
Here we are at Friday. Up early enough to close the windows because the trees and bushes were being sprayed for insects. Puttered around, made coffee, cursed the piles of clothes, checked email, showered, dressed, took more dry-cleaning to a different dry cleaner, went to Home Depot, bought good hose nozzles, new fencing (we ran out on Thursday), checked out the garden path materials and headed back to St. Marks. Despite no water, I decided it was a good thing to put in the 90' of fence and test the nozzles. Hot? Oh yeah! Dehydrated? You bet. Job accomplished I headed home, stripped and showered at length, after drinking a few glasses of water. Splitting headache from the sun, etc. No Gatorade so I thought OH, I CAN have a V-8! And did. And electrolytes back in place, I felt better. Good enough to realize I hadn't had lunch and needed to go to the drugstore.
Down the street, met one neighbor. Went to drugstore $98 for meds. Off to Jahn's the neighborhood traditional eatery, had yummy food and coffee. On the way home met 2 more neighbors. Got home and actually put some clothes away. Some.
Thank goodness Martha couldn't come today. I am so embarassed at the state of the house! I feel like the before in a Makeover show. And you will note I am writing this and not working on the clothes........
Sent a ton of emails, spoke to a number of people, cancelled out an order for a new cell phone - too confusing. Watched Washington Week in Review and here I am.
Tomorrow is Dani's shower. Sunday is Church - Coffee hour (me in charge) - Money Counting (didn't the Lord have something to say about that....?) and then the DeL's. They'll probably have to scrape me up off the floor.
Later.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Monday, June 4, 2007
Monday
Rain. It has such a wonderful effect on me. I think I used to hate it as a child but now I really appreciate it and the sound.
Not much in the clothes swapping done today but got rid of all the niggling tasks I had to do and cooked chicken w/artichokes, olives and bay leaves (thank you L!). Got a 20 minute nap in and went to Jazz.
Val and Jacob were there. Jacob, 2+ still refers/responds to me with No or Nyet. I may bring him around by the time he's in his 20s, maybe. FRB and Frau Doktor came in for the music so I sat with them. They are fun to be with so worth giving up my front row seat for the music.
I still got home to see Murphy's Law which is good. I like James Nesbitt.
Herding cats was not successful and the VERY IMPORTANT meeting with FRB, WRM and Lenny is stalled for now. One can't make AM, Two can't make lunch and Sunday morning is a tenuous fallback. Herding cats IS the term. Men, such posturing!! Oy.
Bernie tomorrow.
Not much in the clothes swapping done today but got rid of all the niggling tasks I had to do and cooked chicken w/artichokes, olives and bay leaves (thank you L!). Got a 20 minute nap in and went to Jazz.
Val and Jacob were there. Jacob, 2+ still refers/responds to me with No or Nyet. I may bring him around by the time he's in his 20s, maybe. FRB and Frau Doktor came in for the music so I sat with them. They are fun to be with so worth giving up my front row seat for the music.
I still got home to see Murphy's Law which is good. I like James Nesbitt.
Herding cats was not successful and the VERY IMPORTANT meeting with FRB, WRM and Lenny is stalled for now. One can't make AM, Two can't make lunch and Sunday morning is a tenuous fallback. Herding cats IS the term. Men, such posturing!! Oy.
Bernie tomorrow.
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